[2025 Okuwa Attraction] Travel Guide for Kiso Valley (Updated May)

Tokyo and Kyoto are often at the top of people’s Japan itineraries. But they can be super crowded, particularly during the high season. For my most recent Japan trip, I chose to explore the lesser known Kiso Valley and surrounding region. Here’s what I recommend for a three day trip: 1️⃣ Magome to Tsumago This section of the famous Nakasendo Trail stretches almost 8km through the idyllic Japanese countryside. Begin and end your hike in two iconic post towns that are steeped in history. Between the towns, you’ll see waterfalls, tea houses, and pass through dense forest! To reach Magome, take the train from Nagoya to Nakatsugawa and transfer to a local bus. It’s well signposted and very tourist friendly. 2️⃣ Yabuhara to Narai Another popular hiking route on the Nakasendo Trail. This one is around 6km and links Yabuhara to Narai. Narai is one of the most beautiful towns in Japan showcasing so much Japanese history and culture. Both towns are easily reached by train from Nagoya via Nakatsugawa. 3️⃣ Nakatsugawa Due to a missed connection I ended up at this transfer point for longer than planned. After spending an hour strolling the quaint streets, I was glad I had the time here. It’s a peaceful town and a perfect place to grab a coffee and get ready for the hike ahead! 4️⃣ Nagoya City Many visitors to the Kiso Valley base themselves in Nagoya as it offers the most accommodation and dining options. After visiting Nagoya Castle, why not check out Osu Shotengai Shopping Street or the Ghibli Studios? Another fun option is to educate yourself on the Shinkansen at the Railway Museum! 🏨 Where to Stay: Nagoya City is a good base if visiting the Kiso Valley and I chose the Comfort Hotel Nagoya Shinkansenguchi. It’s close to Nagoya Station and it comes with a really tasty buffet breakfast! 🍱 Where to Eat: 🍣 Nigiri Sushi (Nagoya) 🍜 Ekimen-Dori Ramen ‘Street’ (Nagoya) ☕️ Good Day Coffee and Bar (Tsumago) 🍜 Tawara-ya (Tsumago) ☕️ Riverbed Coffee (Nakatsugawa) #travel #travelphotography #localguides #japan #japantrip #exploresgtogether #nagoya #inspiration #wanderlust #trip

#cherryblossom25 Walking the old Nakasendo trail between Magome and Tsumago under cherry blossoms is like starring in your own historical movie. These preserved Edo-period towns already feel like a time warp — wooden inns, cobbled paths, misty hills — and when the sakura bloom, it’s another level. I hiked the trail with a light breeze scattering petals along the way, past old waterwheels and mountain vistas. The towns themselves are sprinkled with cherry trees peeking out from behind dark wood houses. In Tsumago, I sipped hot amazake under a giant sakura tree at the town entrance — one of my favorite moments of the whole trip. My #cherryblossom25 shot was an empty street at golden hour, with blossoms glowing above the roofs. If you’re a romantic traveler, Kiso Valley during sakura season will absolutely steal your heart.

#cherryblossom25 A refreshing train ride through vibrant autumn foliage 🍁 (Agematsu Town, the Kiso Valley) The Akasawa Natural Recreational Forest covers an area of 759 hectares in the Kiso Valley, and during Autumn from late September to mid-October, it is painted in vibrant autumn colors. A logging railroad runs through the forest, so you can take a ride on it and enjoy forest-bathing as you pass ancient Hinoki cypress trees that are over 300 years old.